How to get 10% off the new M1 Apple machines !

Since their release, the Apple machines featuring the new M1 processors have made a very good impression on tech reviewers (with the exception of the iPad Pros that reportedly have software issues that don't harness the power as well as previous iterations). They have been extensively benchmarked and results are very impressive.

The new processors address several issues from previous generations of Apple machines;

• loud fan noise

• battery life

• heat

• CPU/GPU processing power

• energy use

Essentially, the new M1 chips that Apple design & manufacture have extremely good performance and require far less energy. The chips stay cooler under load and fan noise is greatly reduced or non-existent.

These machines are benchmarking extremely well. In some cases the base model mac mini (~$700) is reportedly producing results that outperform previous generations of Mac pro computers that come in for $15,000.

You can purchase these machines direct from Apple of course, but if you head over to Amazon you can buy the same machine, but at an 8-11% discount - and it is still coming from Apple, it's just that it is sold through Amazon. There appears to be a little less variety on Amazon, but for the standard/base models of certain products there is enough choice.

When we are talking about such expensive machines, these savings are obviously worth pursuing.

The cheapest models are the Mac Mini M1 which is a small form factor computer, and in terms of laptops there is the Macbook Air M1 where the price difference is ~£110 ! Not bad !

How to connect Whatsapp Web with your smartphone

Whatsapp recently launched a web version of their app. Here is how to use it.

The convenient thing about Whatsapp Web is that you don't have to install any additional software. All you need to do is navigate to https://web.whatsapp.com/

When you first reach the page, you will see the following page that displays a large QR code

QR codes are scanned by Whatsapp on your phone to connect it to the Whatsapp Web client (as layed out below).

The next step is to open Whatsapp on your phone and log in.

Along the bottom of the screen (on your phone, in Whatsapp) there are 5 icons; Status, Calls, Camera, Chats and Settings. Tap on 'settings' (as shown below [bottom right]).

Next tap on the little blue icon located just to the right of your name;

Next, tap on the blue 'Scan' button, then point the camera at the QR code on your computer screen.

At this stage, when you point the phone at the QR code on the screen it will automatically scan the code and give a small vibration and/or sound to signify the connection.

If you look at your computer screen you should see the Whatsapp Web page populate with a mirrored copy of everything on your smartphone version of Whatsapp.

That's it ! You can type messages and send media on the computer.

The Disney+ Scammers

Have a look into the way modern day scams are carried out. They are ruthless and are able to get to a large number of victims.

The scam itself (Firewall at 2% etc) should be pretty easy to spot but they get around this by targeting people who are less likely to have knowledge about such things.

The whole operation is run like a legit call centre business (except that it's a scam) with full-time employees on a monthly wage who are taught what to say & do at every turn.